Can Children’s Stories Save the World?

3 MayConversation

Young people need stories more than ever – stories that delight, beguile, inspire, and move them deeply. Through reading, stories can help young readers to embrace their futures and an often dark and uncertain world with optimism, resolve and creativity. Children’s laureates Morris Gleitzman from Australia and Chris Riddell from the UK bring their experiences and unique perspectives on their laureate roles to bear on the question “can children’s stories save the human race?”

Chris Riddell, 2015–2017 UK Children’s Laureate and accomplished artist and cartoonist, has won major book prizes including the 2013 Costa Children’s Book Award for Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse. Other works include collaborations with Paul Stewart on Muddle Earth and the Scavenger series.

Morris Gleitzman is a bestselling Australian children’s author and the Australian Children's Laureate for 2018–19. His books explore serious and sometimes confronting subjects in humorous and unexpected ways. His titles include Two Weeks With The Queen; Grace; Doubting Thomas; Bumface; Give Peas A Chance; Extra Time; Loyal Creatures and the series Once, Then, Now, After and Soon.